The Parker Motor Company

Parker Motor Company – in 1922 Clarence Parker and JL (Louie) Smith founded the Parker Motor Company located at 117 First Avenue SE. The business flourished in the 1920’s and slumped in the 1930’s. Following WWII business was increasing so Burton Lahart was hired as General Manager and Don Moe as Sales manager…. In the 1950’s Lahart and Smith became partners until Smith sold his share to Don Moe in 1957. At that time the name was changed to Lahart-Moe Inc. and the business moved to the corner of 3^rd St and 1^st Ave. SE Later Don Moe purchased the entire company and it became Don Moe Dodge. He moved the business to the outskirts of town on Highway 83 South. Don Moe Dodge became Minot Chrysler Center in 1989 and is now known as The Minot Automotive Center.

 

Leland Parker Hotel Demolition

Leland Parker Demolition – in 1963 as the Leland Parker Hotel was being demolished the crew found a building within the Leland Hotel. There was a two story wooden building that had been encased by the Leland. Portions of the old wooden structure were used as rooms in the hotel but an area above the wooden building had been left open as the brick and block roof would have been too heavy for the structure. The first floor had been remodel several times over the years and brick walls surrounded the structure. The Leland Parker Hotel stood on the spot now occupied by Art Space. 

Swenson Furniture:

Swenson Furniture was located on South Broadway at the entrance to the Kmart parking lot. Before the days of Kmart this was the intersection of Highway 52 and 83 South. The business started by Oscar Swenson in 1950 with an old canopy truck and $350.00. Customers would drive up the alley to the one stall garage which was also their residence. Later a partially finished home was added. This served as display room for the furniture and the family lived in the basement. They had to move as they were conducting commercial and at times industrial business in a residential area. The business moved to their final location and continued to thrive for a number of years. Swenson’s carried a full line of furniture, appliances and some plumbing supplies. The store became Marion’s Furniture and Tumbleweed Toggery was located on the south side. The building and both businesses were destroyed by fire about 1983. The Water Bedroom Store was in this location for a while and it is now the home for Computech, a computer sales and service store

Trader Dan

 Fast –O-Trade – Dan Hornbacher, better known as Trader Dan opened his first sporting goods store in a small location at 525 East Central Avenue in August of 1945. Changing the name to Fast-O-Trade, in 1949 moved to 16 North Main Street.. In 1961 Trader Dan built a new building on Highway 83 South. The new location provide a lot of outside room for boats, trailers and motorcycles. They akso carried a full line of sporting goods inside. Trader Dan stocked western clothing for hunters, archery equipment and all types of fishing tackle, along with firearms and ammunition. I have been informed that at one time Trader Dan would appear on late night TV selling his wares over the airwaves. I have been informed that for a while Dan Hornbacher went into the construction business with his son. Apparently they built a house which exploded due to a gas leak when lighting the furnace. Dan’s son was killed in the explosion. Dan and his wife lived in a house, behind his business, located at County Road 14 and Highway 83 South.

Great Northern Bank

First National Bank –First National Bank has had a varied name history, beginning with Great Northern Bank in 1897, then long known as the Second National Bank (avoiding any connection with two previous First National Banks, which had failed amid considerable publicity and bad feelings), then finally as the First National Bank. The bank remained on the northwest corner of Main Street and Central Avenue for many years. A new building was built on South Main. The new bank and parking lot now take up half the city block. The name changed to Norwest Bank and finally to Wells Fargo Bank.

2nd National Bank (Great Northern Bank)

1st National Bank

Robertson Lumber Co.

Robertson Lumber Company – Started in Minot in 1940 … located at 200 1^st St SE – On December 24^th 1975 (Christmas Eve) a spectacular fire destroyed the business. Cause of the fire was not immediately determined but the loss was estimated at over one million dollars. Robertson set up a temporary office at 119 1^st Ave SE and eventually moved to the bypass east of the truck stop….. Sebby’s Carpetarea – 1839 South Broadway – home for Draperies, Linoleum, wallpaper, paint and tile of all types – also dealer for Mohawk carpets and other brands ….

New York Store

New York Store –   In many pictures of Minot’s Main Street one sees The New York Store. It was on the Southwest Corner of Main and Central. This location was at the turn of the century the home of Jack Doyle’s Saloon. The best known saloon in Minot at the time. Peter P Lee replaced the saloon with a general store. The building was known as the Lee Block. In 1906, Julius Fauchald  bought the building and Lee’s Store became known as the New York Store. The building contained offices in the upper floors and was known as the New York Store Block.  In 1912 Julius Fauchald sold the New York Store to Woolworths, which operated until 1982. Fauchald moved next door and established Fauchald’s Department Store which continued until it was sold to Abraham Bader in 1943.

New York Store - late 1890's

The Minot Daily Optic

The Minot Optic was founded by a colorful, outspoken and politically active Marshall McClure.  McClure sold the newspaper to H. A. Zimmerman, someone who was in constant political hot water, according to past history. The paper passed through various crises until it was purchased by W. M. Smart and published by him until May 1, 1914. Smart is well known in Minot for his real estate, and hotel businesses, and a long career in the House of Representatives. On May 1, 1914,  C. A. Johnson and Smart consolidated their papers, The Ward County Reporter and the Minot Optic,  as the Minot Optic-Reporter, and on November 25, 1916, they changed the name to The Minot Daily News. In 1920, Norman B. Black, H. D. Paulson, and Hal S. Davies, all of The Fargo Forum, purchased the News. Davies was then general manager of the Forum and became the new publisher of the News. It was the beginning of a long relationship between Davies and the city. The News paper was originally located in the Flat Iron Building on Central Avenue, then in the form Legion Club building on Broadway before moving to its present location in 1952.

 Minot Optic Printing Press

Minot Daily Printing Press

The Ward County Reporter -

 The Ward County Reporter had begun as the Burlington Reporter but moved to Minot with a new name but the same owner, J. L. Colton, who then sold it to C. A. Johnson. Johnson himself sold the paper in 1897.  George W. Wilson owned the newspaper from 1897 to 1906 and sold it to Sam H. Clark who owned it from 1906 to 1912. Both of these men were politically active, Clark being elected a Minot mayor; outspoken, and intensely interested in local affairs. C. A. Johnson re-purchased the Ward County Reporter in 1912 and owned it until 1916.

Past Business in MInot

Carousel Appliance – 1905 2^nd St SE – Across from Kmart – They carried major appliances – brands included Maytag, Amana, Hotpoint and Monarch….. St Croix Motors – in 1976 they were the dealer for Yamaha Snowmobiles and Motorcycles – located at 1206 South Broadway – at that location since 1957. …… Minot Paint, Glass & Marine – 2021 4^th Ave NW – dealer for Pittsburgh Paints, Assorted Hockey equipment, Mercury Snowmobiles, Ski-Doo Snowmobiles, snowmobile suits and accessories and Boats – Crestliner, Glastron, Mercury and Weeres and Kayot Pontoons

From the 1958 phone book.....

1958 Facts about Minot – Site of US Air Force Jet Interceptor Base and Radar Station – Great Northern Freight Classification yard in Minot was the most modern in the nation – The Airport was service by Braniff Airlines Daily and had charter service available – 3 paved highways intersected in Minot – There were 12,173 telephone connections and 8,981 electrical connections with a population of about 30,000. Minot also enjoyed a healthful and invigorating climate…. A fact proven by government records which show only a small percentage of people from this area were rejected for physical reasons in World War II.

Telephone Party Line Instructions - 1958

Rural Line Ringing Code – 1958 – Phone subscribers on the same rural line could call each other. The process was to dial the code 18 and then the 4^th and 5^th digit of the called party’s number, in the order given. After dialing the proper sequence of numbers you would replace the receiver on the hook and allow time for the called party to answer. After waiting a short period of time you would pick up the receiver and hopefully the party you called would be there. Example of a ringing code: 4^th Digit –2 and  5^th digit 4 the ringing code was 1S – 1L – 2S (S being a short ring and L being a long ring)

How to Dial a Rotary Telephone

Dial Service Instructions – One of the first pages in the 1958 telephone directory had a complete set of instructions on how to use a rotary dial telephone. I believe this was about the time the dial phones came into existence.

1. Place forefinger firmly in dial opening 

2. Turn dial around in clockwise direction until the finger strikes the finger stop

3. Remove finger and let dial return to normal position

 The instructions also explained the different signals one could hear over the phone lines…. The phone ringing signal was described as a “burring” sound…. The Busy signal a “buzz-buzz-buzz” sound.  Instructions were also there on the use of “party lines”. Long distance and out of town calls had to go through the operator. In 1958 all phone numbers were 5 digit. Example: the phone number for Steenstrup Jewelers was 36-22

1950-59 Top News Headlines

Headlines from the 1950’s -  

1951 – the YMCA opened on 1^st St in downtown Minot

1951 - Ward County Historical Society formed

1952 – Year round garbage service began in Minot

1952 -  President Truman Spoke from the back of a train

1953 – President Eisenhower was in Minot For the dedication of the Garrison Dam

1954 – Minot selected to receive an Air Force Base

1955 – MDU opened --- Ground breaking for MAFB and Gavin Yard

1959 – Minot became the site for an International Airport

1963 - More Construction Projects

1963 Buildings under construction -- Little Flower Church  -- With what was described as a massive bell tower …… Houses on North Hill – Many homes on the sides of the coulees on north hill under construction – some were selling for as much as $35,000 to $40,000……Jim Hill Junior High – located on the site of the former Washington Golf Course, the $1 ½ million building was scheduled to open in the fall of 1963 – Jim Hill contained 30 class rooms as well as a large gymnasium and swimming pool……

Jim Hill construction

Commercial Development - 1962-63

Building  Projects underway in 1963 -- Union National Bank – 1963 – in early 1963 Union National Bank was in the construction phase. The steel work was in place for the new two story bank building which was to be the home of the most modern facility in the banking business…… Gate City Savings & Loan – a multi gables roof accented the new building on the corner of 4rd Avenue and 1^st Street SW …. Ramada Inn – on top of North Hill overlooking the valley. Now known as the Grand International Inn…….

 Midwest Federal Building (1962)

 Union National Bank 

 Ramada Inn ( now Grand Hotel)

Greengard Cranston Clothing –

 The first Greengard store was established in the early 1900’2 by Samuel and Joseph Greengard in Williston. Then came stores in Mandan and Bottineau prior to World War 1. The first Greengard store was established in Minot in the early 1920’s.  The first Greengard Store had the slogan, “Greengards Snappy Clothing”. It was located on Central Avenue just west of the First National Bank. The top floors of the store were home to rooms that were rented to many employees of the railroad and others. One lady informed that she lived there and worked at Sears (on North main) after the Second World War. Marv Greengard entered into a partnership with CF “Fergie” Cranston in 1946. Greengard – Cranston moved to South Main Street. Floyd “Dusty” Roed and John Merrill took over the operation of the business in 1974. Greengard Cranston continued business on Main Street until the 80’s

Tollefson’s Furniture – Downtown Minot –

 Tollefson’s Furniture was started in 1925 by O.T. Tollefson. In 1925. In 1941, Tollefson’s was located at 13 First Street Southeast. This location had a main floor, balcony and full basement. In 1946, Tollefson’s moved to the Interstate Transportation Building located one block north of the Courthouse on Third Street SE. This building had three full floors and a warehouse located on the south side. In 1963 the city purchased this location to construct a new fire station (#2), which is still there. Tollefson’s then moved back to the location on First Street in 1964. They remained there until they moved 4 miles north of Minot in 1973.

Basement of Tollefson's Furniture

1927 Chrysler Dealer

Blaisdell Motor Company – Nov 1, 1927 – Located at 419 South Main Street – Blaisdell Motors was the Chrysler Dealer in 1927. On November 1, 1927 they were advertising the New Chrysler “52”.  The ad claimed the “New 52” was head and shoulders above the rest of the industry in comfort and luxury. The wood and Steel body was larger, the seats were wider and more comfortable and the car could achieve speeds of 52 miles per hour. Blaisdell Motors was selling, your choice, a Coupe or a Roadster with a Rumble seat for $725.00. Or you could step up in luxury to the De Luxe Sedan for $875.00. If you were in the market for a used car – Hupmobile Touring - $150.00 or an Overland Touring car for $75.00

Bon Ton Shop –

 February 18, 1956 was the grand opening of the Bon Ton Shop on Main Street in downtown Minot. The Bon Ton shop was the store for discriminating women….. The store featured many nationally advertised labels. The departments in the store were Sportswear, Suits and coats, Dresses, Accessories and Tot-n-Teen wear…. Contractors were Mackley Construction, Minot Electric and Minot Plumbing. During the celebration customers could register for prizes, watch an informal modeling show and listen to organ music by Marge McFall…Making a special appearance at the grand opening was the 1956 Dodge La Femme. This was a Dodge Car designed exclusively for women ….

Outdoor Theaters

1963 Out Door Theaters –in June, 1963 the new Starlite Outdoor Theater would soon be opening. Both outdoor theaters were owned by the same company, Triangle Theaters associates. By July of 1963 there were two outdoor theaters in Minot. The Minot Outdoor Theater was on North Hill in the area of what is now the Vegas Motel. On July 3, 1963 they were showing 4 features including Ma & Pa Kettle on Old MacDonald’s Farm …. The Starlite Outdoor Theater was on Highway 83 South where The Cenex Gas Station, Holiday Inn Express and Cartiva are located – they same weekend they were showing a 4 feature Spookathon – one of which was the Tower of London staring Vincent Price…. Admission to both – 85 cents and kids under 12 were free ---also free were those who hid in the trunks of cars as you entered the theater grounds

Minot Elks Lodge 1954 –

 The original Minot Elks Lodge #1089 was dedicated in 1909. It was located on the southwest corner of  Main Street and 2^nd Avenue in Downtown Minot. On Wednesday, October 27^th, 1954 the new Minot Elks Lodge opened on 2^nd Avenue and Broadway, about a block west of the original Elks Club. The grand opening events were limited to Elks members only, except for an open house from 2 pm to 8 pm so non-Elk members could see the new building. The Elks Club in 1954 boasted of having about 1750 members and the new building was built at a cost of about $500,00.00.

 Elks Club 1910

 Elks Club 1964